I. Background<=
/h1>

1. In recent years, many national an=
d international statistical organizations have initiated developments to re=
structure the statistical production process. The "Data Deluge" a=
nd technological advances are providing opportunities to use new types of s=
ources, enhance existing outputs, and develop new ones. These developments =
have significant implications for the structure and efficiency of statistic=
al organizations, and a major impact on strategic decisions related to budg=
et, human resources and corporate strategy.

2. Several existing international gr=
oups are involved in expert-level discussions on specific aspects of the mo=
dernisation of official statistics, such as methodology, information techno=
logy, software tools, and enterprise architecture, but until recently there=
has been no overall coordination of these activities. To achieve strategic=
oversight and especially better coordination of developments in different =
groups and countries, a forum on the highest level (Director General) was n=
eeded. The Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) establi=
shed a High Level Group for this purpose, in 2010. This group, which was kn=
own as the High-Level Group for Strategic Developments in Business Architec=
ture in Statistics, was initially created for a period of 2 years, after wh=
ich its terms of reference would be reviewed by the CES Bureau.

3. Since 2010, the High-Level Group h=
as produced a strategic vision, which was adopted by the CES in June 2011, =
and a strategy to implement that vision, which was adopted by the CES in Ju=
ne 20121 =
. 4. These present Terms of Reference r=
eflect an updated view of the role and responsibilities of the High-Level G=
roup, based on experience gained in the first two years of operation. They =
also reflect the change of the name of the group to "High-Level Group =
for the Modernisation of Statistical Production and Services" (HLG) re=
flecting the evolution of the scope of the work of the group, and the feedb=
ack from the Conference of European Statisticians when endorsing the vision=
and strategy.

II. Mandate

5. The HLG reports to the Conference=
of European Statisticians (CES). It therefore derives its legitimacy and m=
andate from this body. It should prepare strategically-focused annual progr=
ess reports, to inform and solicit comments from the CES and its Bureau.

III. Objectives

6. The mission of the HLG is to over=
see development of frameworks, and sharing of information, tools and method=
s, which support the modernisation of statistical organisations. The aim is=
to improve the efficiency of the statistical production process, and the a=
bility to produce outputs that better meet user needs. The HLG will discuss=
and collaborate with other bodies involved in related work, both within an=
d beyond the official statistics community. Within the official statistics =
community, it will take a leadership and coordination role.

7. The HLG will oversee and steer th=
e work of relevant CES expert groups, and will coordinate, and give leaders=
hip where needed, to other relevant international expert groups and UN regi=
onal commissions. It is responsible for stimulating development of global s=
tandards and overseeing activities undertaken in collaboration.

8. The objectives of the HLG are: (a) To promote common standards, models, tools=
and methods to support the modernisation of official statistics; (b)=
To drive new developments in the production, organisation and products of =
official statistics, ensuring effective coordination and information sharin=
g within official statistics, and with relevant external bodies; (c) =
To advise the Bureau of the CES on the direction of strategic developments =
in the modernisation of official statistics, and ensure that there is a max=
imum of convergence and coordination within the statistical "industry&=
quot;.

V. Timetables<=
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10. These Terms of Reference are val=
id for a period of 3 years (January 2013 to December 2015), after which the=
y will be reviewed by the CES Bureau:

The results of the first implementation project to be agreed and resour=
ced by selected CES members, the development of the Generic Statistical Inf=
ormation Model, should be released before the end of 2012;

The HLG encourages CES members to make the necessary organisational cha=
nges to facilitate enhanced international collaboration, and therefore demo=
nstrate their commitment to the vision. The first signs of this should be v=
isible by the end of 2013;

The first practical results (applications and methods) of shared develo=
pment and active collaboration activities overseen by the HLG should become=
available by the end of 2014;

VI. Methods of work=

11. The HLG will meet physically at =
least once per year, for 1-2 days, back-to-back with the autumn meeting of =
the CES Bureau. In-between these meetings, it will work mainly via electron=
ic communication and telephone or video conferencing but it may also meet p=
hysically as necessary, usually on the margins of other meetings.

VII. MEMBERSHIP

12. The HLG members should be at the=
level of heads of national statistical organisations and chief statisticia=
ns of international organisations. An appropriate geographical balance in t=
he membership of the HLG will be ensured.

13. The members of the HLG undertake to devote the necessary time to ade=
quately discharge their duties.

14. The members of the HLG will be approved by the CES Bureau, and will =
select from amongst themselves a Chairperson and, if deemed necessary, a Vi=
ce-Chairperson. If a member leaves the HLG, a new member may be co-opted un=
til the time of the next review by the CES Bureau, when a new member is for=
mally approved.

15. The membership of the HLG as at 1 January 2013 is as follows:

Mr Gosse van der Veen (Netherlands) Chairman

Mr Brian Pink (Australia)

Mr Enrico Giovannini (Italy)

Mr Eduardo Sojo Garza-Aldape (Mexico)

Mr Ki-Jong Woo (Republic of Korea)

Ms Irena Kri=C5=BEman (Slovenia)

Ms Katherine Wallman (United States)

Mr Walter Radermacher (Eurostat)

Ms Martine Durand (OECD)

Ms Lidia Bratanova (UNECE)

16. The chairpersons of the Organisi=
ng Committee on the Management of Statistical Information Systems (MSIS), t=
he Steering Group on Statistical Metadata (METIS) and the Sharing Advisory =
Board participate as observers.

17. The HLG may invite additional persons to participate in some or all =
of its activities, depending on priorities and interests, where their contr=
ibutions would be of benefit to the work of the group. These persons shall =
be representatives of other national or international organisations which d=
emonstrate their commitment to actively contribute to the work of the HLG, =
and support the implementation of the strategy.

18. The HLG will be supported by a Secretariat Team led by the UNECE Sec=
retariat and comprising the three HLG observers, and other members as neces=
sary. This team will be responsible for drafting texts for HLG approval, pr=
eparing HLG meetings, promoting HLG activities and outputs, overseeing proj=
ects, administering agreements, and other tasks as directed by the HLG.